When this story began, Abi and her boyfriend (nicknamed Buddy) were 17 years old. They were both high school students. Both lived at home with their parents.  Shortly after starting her Matric year, Abi discovered that she was pregnant.  Abi gave birth to a baby boy (whom everyone called Chuckles) in June 2022.  Abi was still aged 17 at the time of Chuckles' birth. By June 2022, Buddy had already turned 18. Buddy had left school and had found work packing shelves at the local supermarket.  Buddy was horrified to discover that he had become a father.  Initially, he denied that the child was his.  He told Abi that he could not contribute anything to the baby's maintenance since he earned so little at the supermarket, and he needed the money for food and rent.   

Buddy's parents had told him to leave their home when he turned 18.  They told him that they washed their hands of him because he had failed his Matric exams, "got a girl pregnant" and "was high on weed half the day".    Buddy's parents are quite well-off and can afford to continue to support Buddy - they just refuse to do so. 

Abi did very well in Matric.  Abi was accepted to study at a university.  Abi's mother told her to take advantage of this opportunity to continue her education. She said that she would look after Chuckles (in Cape Town) while Abi left to study in Johannesburg. 

Before Abi left for Johannesburg, Buddy came to say goodbye.  Buddy met baby Chuckles and fell in love at first sight. Chuckles looked exactly like him, and Buddy was certain that he was the father of this gorgeous baby (Buddy also knew that Abi had only ever had sex with him, and in his heart, he had always known that only he could have fathered her child). 

Buddy would like to take Chuckles home with him and become a "proper father" to his child. 

Abi's parents want to keep Chuckles away from Buddy. They have forbidden him from 

seeing the baby.  Abi is now in Johannesburg.  Abi doesn't think that Buddy should take the baby away from her parents, but she would like Buddy to develop a relationship with Chuckles and wants him to visit the baby regularly. 

Buddy comes to see you for legal advice. 

1. Who is (or are) Chuckles' guardian(s)? 
2. Does Buddy have a right and duty to have contact with Chuckles? 
3. If not, how could Buddy obtain the right and duty to have contact with Chuckles? 
4. Who has a duty to support Chuckles financially? 
5. Who has a duty to support Buddy financially? 

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Here is the advice I would give Buddy based on the facts presented Chuckles guardians are Abi and Ab... View the full answer